The GHA have about 6000 tenants with a “spare” room who will be liable for the under-occupation charge.

There has to be an effort in the Scottish Parliament to find a compromise that brings Labour and the SNP together in condemnation of this tax.

The SNP use it as a convenient grievance for independence but will not take up Labour suggestions for emergency legislation that would give local authorities funds to cope with the changes.

The devolutionary mechanism is there for Scotland to make a united stand against the bedroom tax.

The need to do so is definitely there. Is the political will there?

Waste of energy

The way the UK Government’s energy portfolio is batted from pillar to post is inexcusable, given that the oil and gas sector are so important to the economy.

We are on the third energy minister since the Coalition came to power and the 14th minister to hold the post in 16 years.

Now come revelations that the chaotic Department for Energy and Climate Change are spending £1million on bonuses and £7million on severance packages for top staff. The lower ranks have to make do with £500,000 in redundancy payments.

All this points to a department adrift, wasting money and wasting time.

Fair play to them

SOME footballers give the game a bad name. But most of them are decent lads plying their trade.

If they play in Scotland, the economy, as much as the score, affects their chances.

Everyone feels bad for the Dunfermline players made redundant. And news that the skint squad dipped into their own pockets to bail out a club cleaner who faced eviction when her wages weren’t paid in full is beyond heartwarming.